Clutch mechanism



v'June 21,1938'. c. M. EASON CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed Aug. l0, 1956 6v Sheets-Shea# 1 June'Zl, 1938. c. M. EAsoN LUTcI-x wmcrmmsav Filed Aug, 1o, 1936 4 6 Sh eets-Sheet 2 IIIII, lll! June 21, 1938. A c. M. EAsoN CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed Aug; 1o, 1935 6 sheets-sheet s REVERSE I 1 f/Qi/or.- j @Zarencefaswz June 2l, 1938.r y C. M EASQN K 2,121,075

CLUTCH MECHANISM FiledAug. 1o, 1956 6 sheets-sheet 5 June 21, 1938. c. M. EAsoN CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed Aug. 10, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Y www www N @um www SNN D www uwhhnf In. .www w :SN Sm l @my Patented June 21, 1938 PATENT oF-FicE oLU'ron MEoHANrsM Clarence M. Eason, Waukesha, Wis., assignor to Industrial Clutch Company, a corporation of Wisconsin Application August 10, 1936, Serial No. 95,0 64

13 Claims.A

This invention relates to power transmission apparatus and, more particularly, to an improved clutch mechanism therefor.

While the particular devices which I shall describe hereinafter in connection with the drawings are reversing transmissions, it is to be understood that the clutch mechanism of the present invention is not limit'ed to use with reversing transmissions but may beemployed with change speed transmissions and in all similar devices as suitable and desired.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide. a clutch mechanism having a shiftable clutch member connected to a driving part by a resilient bushing or the like which accommodates both the shifting movement `of the clutch member and absorbs stresses vincident to the operation of the clutch mechanism `when the associated parts are not accurately aligned. Another feature of the invention in this connection is the provision of a resilient bushing that is compressed endwise in order to x certain of the associated parts against relative movement.

It is a further and more specic object of the invention to provide a clutch mechanism having two clutch members on a common shaft with means connected to one of 'said clutch members through said shaft and to the other clutch member independently of said shaft for shifting both clutch members axially together to engage one of said clutch members and simultaneously disengage the other clutch member.

Itis another object of the invention to provide novel and useful shifting means for shifting the clutchmembers axially together to engage one of said clutch members and simultaneously disengage the other clutch member.

Another object is to provide novel and useful means for adjusting the respective clutch mem- `v In its more limited aspects and both clutch members for proper action in the operation of the device.

A further object is to provide a clutch having a male clutch member with an external conical clutch surface and a female clutch member havling a cooperating internal conical surface with friction facing or lining means secured to the internal conical surface of the female clutch member instead of to the external conical surface of the male clutch member. This is highly advantageous in that if any bulge or looseness oc- 5 curs in the friction facing or lining material, it will be thrown by centrifugal action out of engagement with the cooperating male cone member, thereby obviating drag which is encountered Where bulged or loose friction facing material on the male clutch part is thrown out centrifugally into engagement with the cooperating female clutch part.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a device embodying the present invention;

' Figure 2 is an end view of the same;

Figure 3 is a. .plan view of the hand wheel part for shifting the clutch members of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section on an enlarged scale through the clutch shifting connection at one end of the axially shiftable driving shaft of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a transverse detail section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a more or less diagrammatic view showing a flexible element and lever mechanism for operating the clutch shifting hand Wheel part of Figure 1 from remote position;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section similar to Figure 1 through another form of device embodying the present invention;

Figure 8 is an end View of the same;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing an optional mounting for the drive pulley of the device shown in Figures 7 and 8; and

Figure 10 is a longitudinal section similar to Figures 1 and 7 through another form of device embodying the present invention.

With reference now to the drawings, in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, 5 designates a driving member, the member shown being the flywheel of a mo.,-

tor drivingly connected at 6 to a driving clutch` cone member l.

The driving connection at. 6 is preferably of- {'50 plate 8 by'nuts and extend into openings I2 in lthe cone member 1. or other deformable and preferably resilient material aredisposed about the studs I0 and within metal sleeves I4 which surround these bushings and are mounted in the openings I2 for sliding movement of the cone member 1 thereon with axial shifting movement of the driving shaft I5. 'I'he `drive is transmitted from the flywheel 5 to the cone member 1 through the driving plate 8, studs I0, andbushings I3, and the bushings I3 absorb angular stresses imposed, for example, by misalignment of the parts. The bushings I3 are compressed endwise by collars I6 and cooperating nut members I1 threaded upon" the adjacent reduced ends of the studs l0 to bind the sleeves |4 and bushings I3 firmly in place on the studs l0. The cone member 1 is splined Iat I8 upon the driving shaft I5, and is secured against endwise movement with respect to the shaft by means of a lock nut |9. The male cone member 1 is shifted into engagement with a driven female clutch member 29 by axial movement of shaft I5 to the right (Figure 1), and is disengaged from the clutch member 29 by axial movement of the shaft I5 in the opposite direction.'

The driven clutch member 20 preferably comprises a cone rim part 2| and an inner cone rim supporting part 22. The cone rim part 2| is preferably formed of relatively light weight material, such as aluminum, to reduce the inertia that must be overcome in the operation of the device. This part 2| is also preferably divided into two or any other desired number of equal length segments, each having a radial flange 23 secured to the inner part 22 by means of bolts 24. By dividingthe` cone rim part 2| into two or more cone rim segments, these segments may be removed and replaced at will without taking down or disassembling the entire device, and, with the segments` of equal length, they are interchangeable, and therefore require no predetermined positioning relative to each other.

The inner conical surfaces of the cone rim segments, constituting the rim part 2|, are preferably faced or lined with suitable friction material 25. This friction material may be in the form of arcuate facing pieces, each of a length substantially equal to the length'of the respective segments and riveted at 26 or otherwise suitably secured to the cone rim segments. If any bulge or looseness occurs in lthe friction facing material 25, it will be thrown by centrifugal force out of engagement with the cone member 1 inthe 'operation of the device, by reasonof its application internally to the female clutch member 20 instead of externally tothe male cone member 1. 'I'his obviates the drag which is` .encountered where bulged or loose friction facings on the male clutch part are thrown out centrifugally into engagement with the cooperating female clutch part.

The irmer part 22 is keyed or splined at 28 upon a tubular driven member 29, and is splitv and clamped at 3| 'to said member and againstl endwise displacement thereon. The tubular member 29 is `i'ournaled in bearings 32 and 33, one mounted in the end member or head plate 34 of \`the casing 36, and the other mounted in a part 38 formed integral with .the casing inter- A second tubular Bushings I3 of rubberv other end member or head plate 4| of the casing. 36.

The shaft I5 extends loosely through the members 29 and 30 for axial shifting movement therein, and at the end opposite the driving clutch cone member 1, has a similar but reversely disposed driving cone member 42 splined thereon at 43. The adjacent end of the tubular driven member 30 has a cone rim supporting part 44 similar to the part 22 and similarly splined and secured against endwise movement thereon. The cone rim part 45 is similar to the cone rim part 2|, and these parts 2| and 45 and the segments thereof are preferably interchangeable, so that when the friction lining of the cone rim at the clutch where the wear is greater, as will hereinafter appear, has worn as much as practicable, this cone rim part may be interchanged with the cone rim part at the clutch where the Wear is less, and will have further usefulness at that clutch. The shaft I5 is journaled short of its opposite ends in bearings |5a and |5b mounted respectively in the cone rim supporting 'parts 22 and 44, and held in place by suitable retainers |5c.

The tubular driven members 29 and 30 are formed with or have fixed thereon spur pinions 41 and 48, respectively. The pinion 41 is positioned between the bearings 32 and 33, and the pinion 4 8 is positioned between-the bearings 39 and 40. While, as I have already stated, the present invention is not limited to use with reversing transmissions but may be employed with change'speed transmissions and in all similar devices as suitable or desired, the particular device shown is a reversing transmission, and the forward drive is transmitted through the pinion 41, whereas the reverse drive is transmitted through the pinion 48.

The pinion 41 meshes with a spur gear 49 keyed at 50 on a counter or lay shaft 5|. The pinion 48 meshes with an idler spur pinion 52 which, in turn, meshes with a spur gear 53 keyed at 54 on countershaft 5|, whereby to transmit the drive to the shaft 5I in the reverse direction. A spacingsleeve 55 is mounted on the shaft 5| between the gears 49 and 53, and the shaft 5| is journaled in bearings 56 and 51 mounted in the end members or head plates 34 and 4|, respectively. Retainer rings 59 hold the bearings 56 and 51 in place.

Thel left hand end (Figure 1) of the shaft 5|y may be provided outwardly of the bearing 56 with a sprocket. 60 keyed or splined thereon. The opposite end of the shaft 5| may be extended and provided with a pulley -62 splined or otherwise fixed thereon, or it may be terminated just outwardly of the bearing 51, in which case a sprocket, similar to the sprocket 60, may be splined on the shaft 5| vjust outwardly of the bearing 51. Where the shaft 5| is extended and provided with the pulley 62, the head plate 4| is provided with an integral extending bracket part 64, and the shaft 5I 4is journaledadjacent the hub of the pulley 62 in a bearing 65 mounted in this extension bracket 64. Bearing retainers are provided at 66.

From the foregoing description it will now be apparent that the shaft I5 constitutes a common driving shaft for the two clutches. Axial movement of the driving clutch members 1 and 42 to the left (Figure 1)4 moves the clutch member 42 into engagement with the inner clutch surface of the cone rim or driven cone part 45 and, simultaneously,'the driving clutch cone 1 out of engagement with the cone rim or driven clutch part one ratio in reverse.

2 I. When the clutch cone 42 is engaged with the cooperating driven clutch part and the clutch 1 is disengaged, a reverse drive is transmitted through the pinion 48, idler 52, and gear. 53, to the shaft 5|, and when the clutch cone 1 is verigaged and the clutch cone 42 disengaged, forward drive is transmitted through pinion 41 and meshing gear 49 to the shaft 5|. The particular reversing gear and pinion arrangement shown provides about a three-to-one forward ratio, i. e., about three revolutions of the driving shaft I5 for each revolution of the shaft 5|, and a slightly less reduction, e., about a two and one-half to These particular ratios may vary widely within the scope of the present invention, and it will be understood that the same principles cover the use of stepping up the speed by reversing the relation of the gears.

As already pointed out, the device may be a change speed transmission instead of a reversing Y transmission. This can be accomplished in this embodiment of the invention by merely omitting the idler pinion 52 and meshing-the pinion 48 directly with the gear 53. In such case, the ratio between the gears 41 and 49 will differ from the ratio between the gears 48 and 53, according to the change speeds it is desired to obtain.

Within the broader aspects of the present invention, any suitable means may be provided for shifting the shaft I5 and clutch member 42 axially or endwise to reverse the drive or to change the ratio thereof.

The-particu1ar shifting means shown in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, comprises an eccentric shaft rotatably journaled in the casing 36 and in a plate 1| secured tot-he casing'. The eccentric shaft 10 is provided with an eccentric portion 'I2 having eccentric connection, through needle bearings, with the adjacent end of one of two connecting rods 13 and 14. The rods 13 and 14 are connected together by a turnbuckle 15 having threaded engagement with the adjacent ends of the rods, this turnbuckle 15 constituting an adjustmentl means for the rear reversing clutch member 42 as will hereinafter appear. The rear end of the rod 14 is connected to the upper ends of a pair of arms 16 pivoted at their lower ends at 'I1 to the extension bracket 464, and connected at 18 to the adjacent end of the driving shaft I5 and to the cone member 42. Rotation of the eccentric shaft 10 shifts the rods 13 and 14 endwise, swinging the arms. 16 about their pivots 11 and shifting the shaft I5 and cone members 1 and 42 axially through the connecarms 16 comprises a forked end o n the rod 14l fitting over a compensating member 19 and having pin connectionV with the intermediate por tion thereof. The upper -ends of the arms 16 are swingably mounted on the ends of the member 19, and this member compensates for and obviates binding due, for example, to inaccuracies in machining and assembly. Assembly is thus made easy and proper operation is assured i'n spite of inaccuracies in such assembly or in machining, or for any other reason.

The eccentric shaft 10 is rotated by means of a hand ,wheel 80 xed on the upper end of the shaft 10 and provided with a handle 8| for turningthe same. The hand wheel 88 is grooved peripherally to receive a cable or other flexible element 82 for turning the wheel from remote position. Where the flexible element 82 is employed the wheel 80 may be disposed in coopera- `tion with a bight intermediate the ends of the vthe wheel 88 in the positions into which it is turned. A

The connection at 18 comprises a member 90 having at one end an enlarged tubular part provided with a flanged end bolted at 9| to the hub of the driving cone member 42. The opposite end of the member 90 has a reduced tubular spindle 92 rotatable in a ball-bearing 93. The ballbearing 93 is held against endwise movement on the spindle 92 between a shoulder 94 and a nut 95 threaded on the spindle as shown in Figure 4, and also against endwise movement in a retainer 96 having'a retainer cap 91 bolted thereto. The retainer 96 has diametrically opposite pins 98 which fit in openings in the arms 16, or otherwise cooperate with these arms whereby the retainer 96, bearing 93, member 90, and driving 'cone member 42 are shifted axially as a unit with through the spindle 92, and has threaded engagement at its inner end at |0| in a threaded axial opening |82 in the adjacent end of the shaft I5. The head |83 on the-outer end of the bolt |00 cooperates with the outer end of the Aspindle 92, and a collar |84 is fixed `on the bolt |08 by a set screw |85 (Figure 4) and cooperates with the radial shoulder |86 of the member 98,

`whereby the bolt |88 and member 98 are held against relative axial movement.

The bolt |88 constitutes adjustment means for the forward driving cone member 1. By engaging a wrench or other suitable tool with the head |03 and turning the bolt, the threaded engagement at |8| shifts the shaft I5 axially and, with it, the. cone driving member 1 for the purpose of adjusting the action of the forwarddrive clutch. In this adjustment of the forward clutch, the spli'neson the shaft I5 at 43 slide endwise with respect to the engaging splines on the rear reverse driving cone member 42, it

lbeing understood that there is no such sliding action at this splined connection in the normal operation of the device. A simple and highly effective adjustment for the forward clutch is thus provided. f f

The turnbuckle 15 constitutes adjustment means for the reverseY driving cone lmember 42 which, in the illustrated device, is used only in reverse operation, and therefore does not require as much or as frequent' adjustment asthe forward clutch. By turning the turnbuckle 15, the arms 16 are swung about their pivots shifting the member 98 endwise and, with it, the driving cone member 42 to secure the desired adjustment of the rear reversing clutch. This adjustment also shifts' the shaft |5- axially through the bolt |80, so that when the rear reversing clutch is thus adjusted, the bolt |88 must be manipulated to adjust the forward clutch for the purpose of assuring the desired action of both clutches. The adjustment of the forward" clutch, hovvfever,l which requires more adjustment than the rear clutch, is accomplished independently of the rear clutch, and no accompanying adjustment of the rearclutch is necessary when the forward clutch is adjusted.V In view vof the less frequent adjustment of the rear reversing clutch, the adjustment of the forward clutch which must accompany the same is infrequent land presents no practical problem. The collar |04 carries a spring-pressed ball or 'detent |08 which cooperates with circumferentially spaced openings |09 in the member 90 to yieldingly hold the bolt in the different positions into which it' is turned with respect to the member 90.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the two clutch members, which are shiftable axially together to engage either one of the clutches and simultaneously disengage the otheri clutch, are in the form of female clutch members I I5 and I I6 instead of male clutch members, as in the preceding embodiment of the invention, and these clutch members H5 and' I I6 are mounted on the'driven shaft ||1, instead of on the driving shaft, as in the preceding embodiment.

The rim parts of the female clutch members `||5 and I I6 are preferably formed of relatively light weight material, such as aluminum, or they may be made of pressed sheet steel along the line more fully set forth in my copending application, Serial No. 90,932, led July 16, 1936. As in the preceding embodiment of the invention, the friction lining ||8 is preferably riveted or otherwise secured to the inner conical surfaces of the members I I5 and I I6, and the rim parts of these members are preferably divided into two or more segments to permit ready removal and replacement without disturbing any of the rest of the units. The rim parts are secured by bolts |20 to the inner rim supporting parts which are splined at |2| and fix d against endwise movement at |22 on the sh ft ||1 for axial shifting movement and rotation therewith.

The drivingshaft |25 has splined connection at |26 with the hub of the engine flywheel |21 or other driving member. A bevel pinion |28 is formed on or fixed to the shaft |25 for rotation therewith, and meshes with .opposed bevel gears |29 and |30 xed at |3| and |32 upon the adjacent ends of the tubular driving members |34 and I 35, respectively, which surround the driven shaft ||1. The members |34 and |35 are journaled in bearings |36 and |31 mounted in suitable retainer members carried by the casing |38', and the driving shaft |25 is journaled in a bearing |36 mounted in a suitable retainer also carried by the casing.

The male clutch member |38 for forward drive and the male clutch member |39 for reverse drive are splined at |40 and fixed at |4I against endwise movement on the outer ends of the tubular driving members |34 and |35. The bevel gear set is constantly driven, and either clutch member I5 or i6 is engaged with its cooperating driving clutch member, and the other clutch simultaneously disengaged by shifting the shaft |I1 axially. Adjustment for wear of the friction linings |I8 is made by adjusting the re- I spective driving clutch members |38 and |39 on the tubular driving members |34 and 35. For this purpose, the hub of each driving clutch member |38 and |39 is split and surrounded by ing movement.

a threaded set collar at |4| which serve as clamps to lock these clutch members to the splined ends of the members |34 and |35, as well as to provide for setting the clutch members |38 and |39 up independently of each other to compensate for lining wear.

Axial shifting of the driven shaft whichcarries the driven clutch members |I5 and II6, is accomplished in this embodiment of the invention by means of a ball-bearing |45 carried by a retainer |46 which is rotatable by means of a hand lever |41. The retainer |46 is provided with screw threads |48 engaging corresponding screw threads in a nut |49, oil sealing means being provided at |50. Bolts |52 pass through openings in the nut |49 and have threaded engagement in the head or end plate |53 of the casing |38 to hold the nut |49 against turn- Springs` |54 are disposed between opposite sides of the nut and the end or head plate |53 and the heads of the bolts |52. Rotation of the retainer |46 by the lever |41 shifts the shaft ||1 axially through the bearing |45 which is held to the shaft ||1 and retainer |46 for endwise movement of these parts as a unit. y

The ball-bearing |45 also supports the shaft ||1y at one end, and eliminates the necessity for4 `ment, the drive from the shaft to the pulley |60`is accomplished through a helical external gear |64 splined upon'the adjacent end of the shaft ||1 and meshing with a corresponding interna] gear |65 on the hub structure of the pulley' |60, which hub structure is secured by bolts |66 to the pulley rim. A-'cap member |61, secured to the hub structure of the pulley |60, forms a lubricant-tight enclosure for the adjacent end of the shaft ||1 and the gears |64 and |65. A take-off pulley |68 may be keyed at |69 upon the opposite extending end' of the shaft ||1. The helical engagement ofthe gears |64 and |65 is such as not to interfere with the axial shifting movement of the shaft I|1.

An optional mounting for the drive pulley is shown in Figure 9. This view shows the female clutch member |10 mounted on the tubular drivdriving connections between the clutch member |12 and a spider |15, which yielding connections at the same time permit axial sliding movement of the clutch member |12 with respect to the spider |15. The spider |15 is keyed at |16 upon the adjacent end of the stub shaft |11 upon which the pulley |18 is keyed at |19, The hub ofthe spider |15 is journaled in a ballbearing |80 mounted in the head member |8| attached to the casing |82, and the shaft |11 is rotatably journaled adjacent the hub of the vpulley |18 in a roller bearing |83.

In order readily to replace the segmented female cone carrying' the friction linings, openings are provided either in the head member |85 which supports the drive pulleyv as shown in Figure 7, or in the casing |82 itself as indicated at |86 in Figure 9. In Figure 7, the head plate |85 supports the stationary stub shaft |6| upon which the pulley |60 is rotatablymounted.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FigurelO, the male cone clutch members 200 and 20| are fixed upon .the axially shiftable driving shaft 202, a flexible disc type coupling 203 being shown between the engine flywheel 204 or other driving member, and the "forward driving clutch member 200, instead of the type of connection shown in Figure 1, thereby eliminating the separate coupling plate shown in Fig-- ure 1. In this case, there are three or any other desired number of pins 205 anchored in the for- Ward cone member 200, which pins engage in thimbles 206 in the flexible discs 201'Which are bolted at three or any other desired number of intermediate points, indicated at 208, to the driving engine flywheel 204.

The cone rim parts of the female clutch members 2|0 and 2|| are preferably made of pressed sheet steel to which the linings 2I2 are riveted at 2|3'or otherwise suitably secured. The female cone rim parts and linings are split into two or more segments and can be readily removed or replacedv without disturbing any of the rest of the unit. The female clutch members -are splined and secured against axial movement on the outer ends of the tubular driven members 21|5 and 2|5 which surround the driving shaft 202. Adjustment for Wear is effected independently in the female clutch members by the split clamp collars 2|8 threaded onto the outside of the split hub 2|9 of the spiders or'inner female rim carrying parts 220. The split adjusting collars 2|8 bear against the fixed set collars 22| threaded to thev splined portions of the members 2|5 and 2|6.

Bevel pinions 225 and 226, formed or fixed on the `inner ends of the tubular members 2|5 and 2|6, mesh at diametrically opposite positions with the driven bevel gear 228 fixed at 229 to the driven shaft 230. ',The tubular members 2|5 a d 2|8 are journaled'in bearings carried by r tainers 23| secured to the casing 232, and the shaft 230 is journaled in bearings 233 carried by the member 234. The shiftable driving shaft 202 is journaled in bearings 235 mounted in the hub parts of the female clutch members 2li)4 and 2| I. y

In this embodiment of the invention, major movement, when not under load, takes place between the pins 205 and thimbles 20B, but the 'minor' movement, when under load and while accomplished in this embodiment of the inven-I tion by means of a lever 240 pivoted at 24| to a member 242 bolted at 243 to the casing 232. The lower end of the leverl 240 is forked to engage an operating eccentric' 244, operated or manip- '246. The bearing 241 is held against endwise movement on the intermediate part of the shaft 202 by retainer rings 248.' This bearing is also held by split rings 249 or otherwise as desired against endwise movement with respect to the `retainer 246, so that upon swinging the lever 240,

the retainer 246 is shifted endwise and the shaft 202 moves endwise with the retainer.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown or described.

I claim:

1. In combination, a pair of clutches, each including a shiftable clutch member, said shiftable clutch members being coaxially disposed, and means for adjusting said shiftable clutch members axially in unison for wear of one of said clutches and for adjusting one of said shiftable clutch members axially independently of the other shiftable clutch member for wear of the other clutch.

' 2.In combination, a common driving shaft, a first clutch member mounted 4to turn with said shaft and against endwise movement thereon, a second clutch member mounted to turn with said shaft and for axial adjustment of the shaft with respect thereto, a cooperating clutch member for each of said first and second clutch members, means for shifting said shaft and said first and second clutch members axially in unison to engage one of said first and second clutch members with its cooperating clutch member and simultaneously to disengage the other of said first and second clutch members from its cooperating clutch member, and means for adjusting said first and second clutch members axially in unison for wear of one of said clutch members .and for adjusting one of said first and second clutch members independently of the other for wear of another of said clutch members.

3. In combination, a pair of clutch members,

a common shaft for said clutch members, clutch members cooperable with said first clutch members, pivoted arm means for shifting said shaft and said first clutch members axially in unison selectively to engage one of said first clutch members with its cooperating clutch member and to disengage the other of said first clutch members from its cooperating clutch member, an .adjustable connection between said arm means and said shaft for adjusting one of said first clutch members, a link for actuating said pivoted arm means, and a turnbuckle in said link for ,adjusting the other of said first clutch members by axial adjustment of both said iirst clutch members.

4. In combination, a pair of clutch members, a common shaft for said clutch members, clutch members cooperable with said iirst clutch mem- 1 bers, pivoted arm means for shifting said shaft` and said first clutch members axially in unison selectively to engage one of said first clutch members'with its cooperating clutch member and to disengage the other of said 'first clutch members from its cooperating clutch member, a link for actuating said pivoted arm means, an eccentric shaft for actuating said link, means on said shaft for turning same, said means comprising a grooved hand wheel having a handle, a pivoted lever, and a flexible element trained about the groove in said hand wheel and connected to said lever for turning said eccentric shaft from remote position by actuation of said lever.

5. In combination, a driving flywheel, a shiftable driving clutch member having an opening therein and a friction surface, a stud connected to said flywheel and extending intosaid opening, a sleeve slidably bearing in said opening, a bushing of resilient material disposed in said sleeve and about said stud for transmitting torque from the flywheel to the shiftable clutch member, said bushing absorbing stresses imposed by misalignment and' compressed endwise to bind the sleeve, stud, and bushing together against relative movement, and a driven clutch member having a friction surface cooperable with the friction surface of said shiftable clutch member on the side of the sleeve stud and bushing assembly opposite theside on which said .driving flywheel is disposed.

6. In combination, a driving member, a driven member, a pair of clutch members having coop- .erating friction surfaces for connecting said driving and driven members, a shiftable shaft carrying the driving member of said pair of clutch members, and means ahead of the cooperation between the friction surfaces of said clutch members for yieldingly connecting said shiftable shaft to said driving member to accommodate misalignment between the latter and said shaft and to accommodate shifting movement of said shaft.

7. In combination, a driving member, a driven member, a pair of clutch members having cooperating friction surfaces for connecting said driving and driven members, an axially shiftableshaft carrying one of said clutch members, said shaft being shiftable to engage and disengage said clutch members, and means ahead of the cooperation between the friction surfaces of said clutch members for yieldingly connecting said one clutch member to said driving member, said.

the cooperating friction surfaces of said clutch y members, means connecting the other clutch member with one of said driving and driven members, and Ymeans for yieldingly connecting' said shaft and said one clutch member to the other of said driving and driven members, said last means comprising members adapted for re1- -ative endwise'movement to accommodate said axial movement of said shaft and one clutch member.

9. In combination, a driving member, a shiftable driving clutch member having alfricti/on surface, one of said members having an opening therein, a stud connected to the other of said members and extending into said opening, a

sleeve slidably bearing in said opening, a bushing' of resilient material disposed in said sleeve and about said stud for transmitting torque from the driving member to the shiftable clutch member, said bushing absorbing stresses imposed by misalignment and compressed endwise to bind the sleeve, stud, and bushing together against relative movement, and a driven clutch member having a friction surface cooperable with the friction surface of said shiftable clutch member on the side of the sleeve stud and bushing assembly opposite 'the side on which said driving member is disposed.

10. In combination, driving and driven mem-l bers, a pair of clutch members having cooperating friction surfaces 4for connecting said driving and driven members, an axially shiftable shaft carrying one of said clutch members, said shaft being axially shiftable to engage and disengage the cooperating friction surfaces of said clutch members, means connecting thev other clutch member with one of said driving and driven members, and means for yieldingly connecting .said shaft and said one clutch member to theA opening, a sleeve slidably bearing in said opening, a bushing of resilient material disposed in said sleeve and about said stud for transmitting torque from the driven member to the shiftable clutch member, said bushing absorbing stresses imposed by misalignment and compressed endwise to bind the sleeve, stud, and-bushing together Aagainst relative movement, and a driving clutch member having a friction surface cooperable with the friction surface of said shiftable clutch member on the side of said sleeve stud and bushing assembly opposite the side on which said driven member is disposed.

12. In combination, a driven member, an.ax ially shiftable shaft disposed coaxially of said driven member, a shiftable driven clutch member carried by said shaft and having an opening therein and a friction surface, a stud connected to said driven member and extending into said opening, a sleeve slidably 'bearing in said opening, a bushing of resilient material disposed in said sleeve and about said stud for transmitting torque from said shiftable clutch member to said driven member, said bushing absorbing stresses imposed thereon by misalignment between said shiftable clutch member and said driven member, and a driving clutch member having a friction surface cooperable with the friction surface of said shiftable clutch member, axial movement of said shaft carrying the friction surface of said shiftable clutch member into and out of engagement with the friction surface of said driving clutch member.

13. In combination, a driving flywheel', an axially shiftable shaft disposed coaxially of said flyvwheel, a shiftable driving clutch member fixed Cil 

